Susan Roman: A Career in Republican Politics and Election Monitoring
Susan Roman has built a extensive career within the Republican Party, transitioning from local activism in Philadelphia to high-level roles within presidential campaigns and the White House. Her professional trajectory is characterized by a focus on political consulting, intelligence gathering, and the monitoring of electoral processes.
Early Career and Political Consulting
Roman began her journey as a Republican Party activist in her hometown of Philadelphia. She established herself as a political consultant operating across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. During this period, she worked for State Representative John Perzel, managing the 56th Ward in Northeast Philadelphia until Perzel's indictment and subsequent imprisonment.
Her experience expanded into national operations when she served as the director of Election Day operations at the Republican National Committee (RNC). This expertise in campaign logistics led her to work on the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush, Rudy Giuliani, and John McCain. Additionally, she served as the chief of staff to former Illinois Congressman Bobby Schilling.
Intelligence Gathering and the 2016 Campaign
Before joining the 2016 presidential effort, Roman led an intelligence gathering operation funded by industrialists and prominent Republican donors Charles and David Koch. This office, which is now defunct, was tasked with surveilling and collecting intelligence on liberal opponents of conservative policies.
During the 2016 Trump campaign, Roman served as a senior advisor, specifically acting as the campaign's chief poll watcher to oversee electoral integrity from the campaign's perspective.
Election Monitoring and the Election Journal
Roman manages a blog called Election Journal, which she describes as a platform dedicated to reporting on fraud, cheating, dirty tricks, and other election-related news. However, Richard L. Hasen, Chancellor's Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine, has noted that the blog appears to focus exclusively on incidents that support Republican claims against Democrats.
During the 2008 presidential election, Roman utilized a project called Election Monitoring. This initiative integrated GoogleMaps with Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube, allowing poll watchers and voters to report perceived instances of election fraud and voter disenfranchisement in real time via an online map. While some scholars noted the non-verifiable nature of this crowdsourced data, they suggested it offered new potential for monitoring that bypassed the limitations of official organizations.
White House Appointment
Following the inauguration of Donald Trump, Roman was appointed as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Special Projects and Research. This role was noted by Politico for its vague title. Her appointment was considered unusual because opposition researchers—professionals who investigate political opponents—typically remain with the campaign or transition team rather than moving directly into the White House staff. Roman departed from her White House position in April 2018.
Key Facts
- Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- RNC Role: Director of Election Day operations.
- Presidential Campaigns: George W. Bush, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and Donald Trump.
- White House Role: Special Assistant to the President and Director of Special Projects and Research (until April 2018).
- Specialization: Opposition research, poll watching, and intelligence gathering.
| Organization/Entity | Role/Position | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Republican National Committee | Director of Election Day Operations | Election logistics |
| Koch Intelligence Operation | Head of Operation | Surveillance of liberal opponents |
| 2016 Trump Campaign | Senior Advisor / Chief Poll Watcher | Election monitoring |
| The White House | Special Assistant to the President | Special projects and research |
| Election Journal | Blogger/Author | Election fraud and news |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Susan Roman's role in the 2016 Trump campaign?
Roman served as a senior advisor and acted as the campaign's chief poll watcher.
What is the Election Journal?
It is a blog run by Roman that focuses on election news, specifically regarding fraud, cheating, and "dirty tricks," though critics argue it focuses primarily on claims favoring Republicans.
Who did Roman work for prior to the Trump campaign?
She headed an intelligence gathering operation for Republican donors Charles and David Koch, which surveilled opponents of conservative policies.
Why was her White House appointment considered unusual?
It was uncommon for opposition researchers to be employed directly by the White House, as they usually remain with the campaign or the presidential transition team.
Which presidential candidates did Roman work for early in her career?
She was employed by the campaigns of George W. Bush, Rudy Giuliani, and John McCain.